Dear Project Linus,

I just wanted to thank all of you for the things that you do for children. Having a security blanket is a wonderful thing when times are tough. My son had open heart surgery when he was just 7 days old. It was the hardest thing our family has ever gone through. We dreaded seeing him hooked up to all those machines and wanted so badly to be able to just pick him up and hold him without being confined to the length of all his cords. He received a Project Linus blanket at St. Joe's Hospital and we took it with him when he had to be transferred to Rush for his surgery. It was the only thing that was truly comforting among all the alarms and cords that we had to deal with. He was always fast asleep if he had his blankie! He is now 3 months old and doing very well. We still use his blanket everyday and it reminds us of how the little things in life matter. We appreciate everything you do at Project Linus and hope another child can be just as happy with their blanket as our son was!

Sincerely,

The Ivey Family

Dennis, Meaghan and Baby Camden

Dear Pauline (and all those at the Will County, Il. Chapter of Project Linus),

For years, TAPS has been able to give children who have lost a loved one in the military a very special blanket from the many talented quilters who so generously give of their time and talent to Project Linus.

This year was no different and I am pleased to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support of Project Linus and for allowing us to continue to present our families with these very special and comforting gifts.

Your hard work and generosity does not go unnoticed. You are a blessing to us all!

Sincerely,

Vanessa Gabrielson TAPS Youth Programming and the proud daughter of SFC Dan H. Gabrielson KIA Iraq 07/09/03

Dear PL Family,

Nearly 5 years ago, my daughter Wendy and her family (husband Thomas, 10 year old Haley and 8 year old Patrick) attended a birthday dinner for my other daughter, Ronni. As they were on their way back to their home, on Wednesday night at 8 p.m., a drunk driver crashed into their van at nearly 60 mph. My daughter Wendy died at the scene and little Haley died 20 days later as a result of her severe head injuries. Fortunately, both Thomas and Patrick survived the physical impact of the crash. The 27-year-old drunk driver is now serving 18 years in prison.

For twenty days we hoped and prayed that our little Haley would survive. When she ultimately succumbed to her brain trauma, our family was asked very lovingly by Donor Network if we would be willing to donate her organs. Without much hesitation, we agreed. After being taken off life support for a very short time, Haley was declared legally brain dead. For the next 24 hours, she was once again given oxygen to maintain her healthy organs for transplant. Her heart was donated to a 10 year old girl and her other organs to unknown older recipients.

The reason I am telling my story is, during that 24 hour “wait” period of determining who would be a match for Haley’s organs, our precious darling was given a light blue crocheted blanket from YOU, Project Linus. It was heartwarming, even in a time of our worst sorrow, to know that someone, who would be forever unknown to our family, had taken the time to lovingly create this cover for our little Angel.

Thank you so much.

Dorothy

Our mission at Catholic Charities is to translate God's love into professional human services. Your gift of 50 child size blankets is helping us put that mission into practice.

Offering programs that benefit children and their families is very important to Catholic Charities. Whether it's watching a young child and her classmates share a book during story time, witnessing children experiment with musical instruments for the first time or seeing the joy on the faces of so many children and parents as they enjoy their first trip to the zoo with other classmates and teachers, Head Start has touched the lives of many.

Again, thank you for your support of Cathloic Charities and our Head Start Program. It is truly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Kathleen McGowan
Executive Director

December 11, 2008

Dear Pauline & Project Linus “Angels”,

All children deserve to feel valued and safe. One of the core tenets of the Will County Advocacy is to make each child that walks through our door feel that they matter. The beautiful blankets and quilts provided by Project Linus play an important role in getting that message across to the children and families that we serve. Each batch of blankets and quilts is more beautiful than the last one! It is such a gift to be able to watch the children’s eyes brighten as they are invited o select the perfect blanket to take with them when they leave our Center. Please accept our sincere thanks for the gifts of time, energy and creativity that you put into the blankets that you create. Know that they play a part in the beginning the healing process for children who have been sexually abused.

Sincerely,

Denise Payton
Case Manager
Will County Children’s Advocacy Center

October 2008

Dear Project Linus, Thank you so much for the beautiful bunny blanket! How very thoughtful of you! My family is so humbled by the kindness shown by so many.

What a great organization Linus is. Such a comfort and distraction for these little ones when they need it most.

Thank you so much. Jill & Julia

May 2008

Many children seek comfort with the help of mentors at TAPS Good Grief Camp in Crystal City, Virginia after losing their loved ones who were wounded or died fighting for our country and its freedom.

The aftermath has left them devastated. "They go through a lot of anger, a lot of sadness, a lot of fear...," says Eric Lichtenberg, Paul's mentor. "But the thing I found most about them is they're extremely resilient." One boy said, "I miss my Dad. He played with me a lot. He taught [sic] me how to ride my bike," says J. J. Kelly.They held balloons and bears, and Project Linus Linus blankets with the hope that they wound find some comfort.

Some of these children feel isolated in their communities and find a common bond in the other children who attend the camp. Carole, the mother of one of the attendees said, "She's the only child in her class at school who has lost her father. She comes home and says, 'Mom, they're just like me. I'm not the only one anymore.'" Norman echoes that same thought when he said, "We need to be together with other families who have lost a loved one, and share, and cry, and laugh."

Please know that there are many other children who attend the camp with their own sorrows and need for comfort. Your blankets which were shipped to them give them a bit of comfort and show that other people really care about them and their loss.

Paraphrased by Phyllis Armstrong

Dear Will County "Blanketeers",

Thank you for providing all of the beautiful blankets for the children of our fallen heros from Iraq and Afghanistan. Your dedication and generosity has touched the hearts and lives of our children and their families. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Judy Matthewson, Lt Col USAF

May 2008

Project Linus is in Mack’s Corner

Along with many other children afflicted with Juvenial Diabetes, Mack has been fighting since birth.

All it took was a newpaper article, garage sale, and a good cause to bring two strangers together who had been living only a block apart for many years. Pauline Anderson, Will County Coordinator for Project Linus met Mack and Sabrina, his mother, at a recent fundraising event. The proceeds from the garage sale are for research to find a cure for Juvenile Diabetes, which 22-month-old Mack has been battling since birth.

Pauline, grandmother of 10 grandchildren, spent some time talking with Sabrina and quickly found that Mack’s favorite things are trains. Coincidently (or divinely as some believe) just a few days later while attending a “Make a Blanket Day” at Top Shelf Quilts in Frankfort, Pauline was given a beautiful blanket for Project Linus that was done in a train theme. Immediately she asked the blanketeer if she could give the blanket to a very special boy and she was on her way. The visit was heartwarming. With Sabrina in tears, Mack crouched down, inspected the blanket and squealed with delight as he proclaimed this his “Choo Choo Blankie.”

February 2008

A LETTER FROM MORNINGSTAR MISSIONS WOMEN AND FAMILY CENTER

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF THE BEAUTIFUL BLANKETS! THEY ARE TRULY A BLESSING FOR OUR KIDS! THEY LOVE THEM AND CARRY THEM EVERYWHERE.

HELLO!

My name is Katrina. I am a 33 year old woman who as a child, had 3 major surgeries. I received a blanket your organization on the day of my first surgery. I loved and treasured that blanket so much. It was the only thing in the hospital that was not sterile and that was mine, that no nurse had control over! I have had several surgeries since then, two as a teen, and have always appreciated that blanket. I still have it today in my living room, in a basket. I have never been able to thank the person that made me this blanket, but am grateful for it and would encourage Project Linus by letting you know that these children will cherish these blankets for the rest of their lives. Please share this with your beautiful blanket makers.

Thank you and keep it up!

Katrina